NHL: ASHMORE: Pens' depth could prove too much for Isles

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby, right, talks with teammate Brenden Morrow during NHL hockey practice in Canonsburg, Pa., Tuesday, April 30, 2013. The Penguins take on the New York Islanders in the first round of the NHL hockey playoffs on Wednesday, May 1, in Pittsburgh. Crosby hasn't played since breaking his jaw a month ago. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

With all due respect to Andy Williams ó who, for anyone under the age of 40, sang the popular Christmas tune referenced above ó thereís nothing better than the chase for Lord Stanley. The NHLís postseason is upon us, and there are always surprises to be had. This lockout-shortened year is no different, with the Islanders making their first playoff appearance since the 2006-07 season.

But how far will they go? Hereís a quick guide to the Eastern Conference side of the bracket:

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1 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 8 New York Islanders

Depth is important this time of year, and the Penguins have plenty of it. And itís a good thing, too. Sidney Crosby wasnít expected to play in Wednesday nightís Game 1, nor was defenseman Brooks Orpik, who somewhat ironically fired the shot that broke ďThe KidísĒ jaw at the end of March. But Pittsburghís moves at the trade deadline should pay huge dividends until those two return, with Brenden Morrow and Douglas Murray able to pick up some of the slack. Should Marc-Andre Fleury falter, Tomas Vokoun may be the best backup goaltender in either conference, and could step in at a momentís notice.

On the Islanders side, it would be hard to see them being able to compete with the Penguins in a seven-game series. John Tavares, who potted 47 points in 48 games, is capable of single-handedly taking over a game, but with New York still in a rebuilding effort, he doesnít seem to have enough of a supporting cast around him just yet. Unless goaltender Evgeni Nabokov manages to completely steal the series, the Isles return to the postseason should be a short one.

Prediction: Pittsburgh in 5.

2 Montreal Canadiens vs. 7 Ottawa Senators

If Ottawa has any hopes of upsetting their Canadian rival, the key will be the play of Craig Anderson. Never mentioned in conversations about the elite goaltenders in the league, the well-traveled netminder led the NHL in goals against average (1.69) and save percentage (.941) and has showed heís a proven playoff performer. Last season, his play alone kept the Senators in their first round series against the Rangers, and Ottawa managed to take the heavily favored Blueshirts to the full seven games before bowing out.

Montreal arguably isnít as dangerous of a team as that Rangers squad was, using a more balanced attack to succeed. Fourteen Canadiens players tallied double-digit points in just a 48-game season, but the breakout performer was defenseman P.K. Subban, who put himself into Norris Trophy contention with an impressive 11-27-38 line in 42 contests.

Prediction: Montreal in 7.

3 Washington Capitals vs. 6 New York Rangers

The talk building up what may the most intriguing first round series has surrounded around the fact that, despite their sixth seed, the Rangers are one of the most dangerous teams in the postseason. So why, then, are they the sixth seed? Despite having reigning Vezina Trophy winner Henrik Lundqvist between the pipes yet again, the Rangers underachieved all season long, and didnít even get into the playoffs until the last few days of the season. This team is vastly overhauled from the one that snuck past Washington in seven games last year. In short, add Rick Nash and subtract Marian Gaborik.

But the consistency just hasnít been there all year long, and thereís no reason to think it will magically start now, especially against an oft-overlooked Capitals team that may not get the respect they deserve due to coming out of the weak Southeast Division. If Washington can overcome the sometimes-shaky goaltending of Braden Holtby, a resurgent Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green should be big catalysts in leading the Capitals into the second round.

Prediction: Washington in 6.

4 Boston Bruins vs. 5 Toronto Maple Leafs

This should be the best opening round series. As former Flyer and current Leaf Joffrey Lupul told reporters in Boston on Wednesday, this is a very, very winnable series for Toronto. The emergence of third-year pro Nazem Kadri has been big in Toronto, and heís complemented both Phil Kessel and another ex-Philly standout, James Van Riemsdyk, very well. The only question for the Leafs is their goaltending, with few believing the duo of James Reimer and Ben Scrivens can carry a team in the postseason.

Boston is far more stable between the pipes with Vezina candidate Tuukka Rask, and despite not being as active as the Penguins at the deadline, its depth is nothing to sneeze at either. Highly touted rookie defenseman Dougie Hamilton wonít even suit up for the first game, and the Bruins have plenty of scorers scattered through four very well-rounded forward lines.